The Cincinnati Reds ended a 5-game losing streak today, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals by a score of 7-4. Sunday’s game featured home runs by Matt McLain, his second in as many days, and Austin Hays, along with another two-hit day by Ke’Bryan Hayes. It was also the most runs they had scored since that 8-10 loss to Milwaukee over two weeks ago. Since that night, the Reds have really struggled offensively. They’ve lost three straight series and endured their first sweep of the season at the hands
of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are 2-8 over their last 10 games, scoring 3 or fewer runs in 6 of those 10 games.
While the Reds have been struggling at the plate, Sal Stewart most certainly has not. Since getting called up to Triple-A Louisville on July 18, Stewart has done nothing but mash the hell out of the baseball. He’s hit .315/.394/.629 over 38 games with the Bats, with 15 doubles, 10 home runs, and 36 RBI. He’s also walked 19 times against 26 strikeouts. Despite what would have seemed like an obvious move a couple weeks ago to help a struggling offense, the Reds did the predictable and waited until rosters expanded to make the move.
There has been no official announcement from the team, but it seems like this move is set in stone. Stewart will likely move around the diamond over the next month, as he’s been getting work everywhere but shortstop during his time in Louisville. Hopefully his call-up will provide a boost to an offense that has largely struggled since the All-Star Break. And hopefully this is a move that isn’t too little, too late for a Reds team who’s playoff odds have gotten longer and longer over the last couple of weeks.